What would you do?

Flyswatter · August 25, 2012, 01:43:57 PM

I've been out scouting more waypoints on my HDS8 the last two days then I care to remember. Today I came upon a stretch of bank I wanted to fish before the sun got to high. On my way to that area I took a pic of my graph to show all the suspended fish. Also, I am seeing fish similarly suspend all over the lake close by but not on humps or underwater points (structure breaks). I did not fish this spot where I took the picture. Would you? If you did what what would you use? The current was not on and I know Coosa Spotted Bass don't respond well when current is off but what about largemouths? Would I be I wasting my time fishing these spots when the current is not on? Man, I keep looking at the grass and I want to fish it bad.

I did some early this morning but when back out to mark more spots.

Mouse click on pic to enlarge. Could these be stripers attacking the shad? So much to learn as I transition more to summertime offshore fishing.

Mike Cork · August 25, 2012, 02:13:03 PM

We see this a lot around here in the south, especially on the red river. Most of that would be cat fish here. They just roam, along with drum, gar, and carp.

Another possibility is stripers, if you have a large population of the, whites, hydrids.... Lots it could be.

However since there are shad in the area

I'd have to toss a spoon at them and see what species they were.

Flyswatter · August 25, 2012, 02:16:56 PM

Mike,

Would that be a vertical spoon or would you count down a flutter spoon Strike King's "woops"y Spoon?

Also, how do you know if the bottom is hard?. Anyway to identify shell beds with 2d Sonars?

Mike Cork · August 25, 2012, 03:11:27 PM

You have a pretty hard bottom there because of the large yellow space below the bottom return.

Since you're in pretty deep water I'd use a vertical spoon first like a Hopkins and try and work it under the front transducer and put it in their face. If after a few tries you didn't land a fish I'd chalk them up to trash fish.

Bass of any species, spots, largemouth, striper, white, all will eat a spoon in their face

Flyswatter · August 25, 2012, 08:19:50 PM

Mike, I want to thank you for your replies and suggestions. I can only speak for myself but I bet there are many people who benefit from your replies. I know I do.

Bassinkorea · August 26, 2012, 06:40:48 AM

Here in Korea from October through all the winter months, a screen shot like yours would equal loading the boat with bass using a metal spoon vertically below the boat.

At this time of year I would most definately fish a vertical dropshot rig down in that school......at least for 10 minutes or so.

Bigwrench · August 26, 2012, 07:31:10 AM

I would about fall out of the boat if I saw that many fish on my screen lol. Then I would get on here and ask the same question.

maybe a silver buddy type spoon or flutter spoon jigging

Flyswatter · August 26, 2012, 11:45:33 AM

BW,

Get me in the fall through the start and cooler seasonal post spawn and I'm okay and in my element. This time of the year for the past 2 years I have struggled this time of the year (not counting schoolers). All said get me behind the wheel I and can set up to get to point "A" to point "B" real fast

but right now I feel extremely humbled by the green fish. Of course I know longer am out there chasing them like I did 8 years ago. I guess it's their turn to get even.

However, I don't get mad and I will get even with the help from fine folks here on Ultimate bass. Life is good as long as I get the opportunity to get out on the water. No TV's, computers, little to no phone calls

vs some summertime fishing struggles is just fine by me.

GRR884 · August 26, 2012, 03:15:00 PM

I saw a lot of the similar and Ky lake. One time I dropped blade bait and caught a crappie.

-Shawn- · August 26, 2012, 09:29:32 PM

Man, that is tough. I Don't have alot of Spots, so I can't say it's not smaller Spots.

I can tell you that it is nothing I would stop and fish, BUT I am looking for LM and those don't look like largies at all. Looks more like whites with some Stripers mixed in more than anything.

See how your getting 2 Different returns? The Darker Blue returns would be whites and the brighter would be Stripers.

Flyswatter · August 26, 2012, 10:59:23 PM

Quote from: -Shawn- on August 26, 2012, 09:29:32 PM
See how your getting 2 Different returns? The Darker Blue returns would be whites and the brighter would be Stripers.

Okay, now how do you know that? I've got pencil and paper in hand.

Very interesting observation and I know many would benefit from your comments on Darker Blue vs. Brighter returns and fish species.

-Shawn- · August 27, 2012, 08:07:29 AM

The Darker verses Lighter is telling you one fish is thicker and bigger from another.. The Brighter the return the bigger/Denser the fish. Now the way I decide what they are is purely Past Experience on what I am seeing on the screen and Knowledge of Fish Behavior.

The Brighter Returns on Most of My lakes could Be Stripers of LMB. BUT, Usually LMB will be BELOW the Whites Feeding on them. The Stripers will be Mixed in feeding on the Shad.

Now if the lake Has NO stripers and I still saw these returns................ I would be Tossing a Flutter spoon. If it was LM you would know in just a few cast.

I have also got pretty adept at Picking out Gar on the Sonar...... Nothing like finding a Small school of Big Fish and Tossing your new HUDD to them and it coming back shreaded on the first cast..

What would you do?

GRR884